Reviews

Through the haze, a dozen conversations riff from one person to another, a comment or question from one prompting a response from another. It’s a strong opening, well written and tightly performed, framing a production collectively created by the members of SAYarts and pulled together by Sophia Simmons.

Independent theatre company The Hive Collective follow up their first 2021 production, a Greek myth mash-up, with another take on ancient Greek history – this time it is the turn of infamous siblings Elektra and Orestes – children of murdered hero of the Trojan war, King Agamemnon – to tell their tragic tale, with a modern twist. This play is a warning of the spiral of events that can be somehow predestine some family histories to repeat down the generations – especially when betrayal, revenge and murder are involved!

Black Brass is a beautifully told story presented by Performing Lines, for Perth Festival. Based on over twenty hours of interviews with people from various African countries who have come to call Australia home, this story of an African immigrant on the evening before an interview which may lead to his citizenship, is supported by songs in Swahili, Lingala and French.

Garrick Theatre’s Managing Carmen is a well-presented incarnation of this modern Australian play, playing to Covid capacity audiences, and being very well received.

Garrick’s handkerchief sized stage is very well used in this rather episodic show, with Jake Newby’s set design consisting of well-chosen furnishings that serve multiple locales. Each location is established by excellent projections by Stuart Ridgeway, which include split screens and film. Jake Newby also provided lighting design.